Tūtohu Archives: Mike Hansen

STACKED FIGHT CARD OPENS THE YEAR FOR NEF IN LEWISTON

Lewiston, Maine (January 11, 2017) -mo Ingarangi whawhai (Nef) returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee on February 11, 2017 with its next mixed-martial-arts event, “Nef 27: RESURGENCE.” I mua i teie mahana, the fight promotion announced the full card for the event. The night will feature both amateur and professional MMA bouts.

 

Headlining the evening will be the semi-finals of the tournament to crown a new professional lightweight champion. The title was vacated when previous champion Devin Powell (8-1) signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Ryan Sanders (12-8) Ka tangohia i runga i John Ortolani (8-10) ia Jon Lemke (5-7) kanohi Hehe Erickson (9-5) in a rematch from Bellator 93. The winners of those two bouts will meet in the finals tentatively scheduled forNEF 28later this year.

 

In a highly-anticipated heavyweight bout, Ras Hylton (0-0) ka meinga e tona tuatahi ngaio ki Mike Hansen (5-4). The 6’6Hylton, ranei “Rasquatchas he is known amongst his fans, was voted the “2016 Ihupuku o te Tau” by NEF fans after going 3-0 hei runaruna. Hansen was a Maine state wrestling champion for Mountain Valley High School (MVHS), and he has developed quite a reputation for downing larger opponents on both the mats and the MMA cage. Hansen was the recipient of the “2016 Submission of the Year” tohu.

 

Speaking of 2016 tohu toa, te “Fighter o te Tau,” mā amanaki Arona Lacey (4-0), will look for his fifth consecutive victory in less than a year when he meets Florida’s Chris Jacobs (1-0). Jacobs put together an impressive 8-3 record hei runaruna, winning regional titles along the way.

 

The amateur card will feature a bout for the light-heavyweight strap as Ryan Glover (3-1) tohe ki Victor Irwin (2-0). Glover has held the title since last February. Both Glover and Irwin were Maine state wrestling championsGlover with MVHS and Irwin with Brewer High School.

 

Also scheduled on the amateur card are no less than three women’s bouts. Angela Young (1-2), who put on multiple “Whawhai o te Po” performances in 2016, returns to face New Hampshire’s Christine Brothwell (0-2). Young’s teammate, Katie Baker (0-0), will make her in-cage debut against another tough competitor from the Granite State in the form of Alex Walker (2-1), ia Sarah Ziehm makes her debut against Nicole Burgess (0-1).

 

The full “Nef 27: RESURGENCE” kāri whawhai (kaupapa ki te huri i):

 

NGAIO

235 Mike Hansen 5-4 (Berserkers MMA) vs Ras Hylton 0-0 (Tuatahi Class MMA)

 

160 Matt Denning 3-5 (CMBJJ) vs Ricky Dexter 0-0 (Team Irish)

155 Ryan Sanders 12-8 (MMA o Young) vs John Ortolani 8-10 (South Tampa Jiu-Jitsu & MMA)

 

155 Hehe Erickson 9-5 (CMBJJ) vs Jon Lemke 5-7 (Team Irish)

 

145 Arona Lacey 4-0 (MMA o Young) vs Chris Jacobs 1-0 (Pete White Boxing & MMA)

 

145 Josh Harvey 2-0 (MMA o Young) vs Richie Collingham 3-3 (Lakes Region Vale Tudo)

 

135 Iraia Leland 2-2 (Ko te Academy) vs Nick Santos 0-4 (Team Fury)

AMATEUR

205*TITLE Ryan Glover 3-1 (Berserkers MMA) (c) vs Victor Irwin 2-0 (MMA o Young)

 

205 Zeal McGrew 1-1 (Redline) vs Pete Grinnel 0-0 (Lawton BJJ)

185 Jon Tefft 0-0 (Tuatahi Class MMA) vs Sean Worcester 0-1 (Independent)

 

155 Devin Corson 0-0 (Aro Club Shatterproof) vs Winston Cortez 0-0 (S. Tampa Jiu-Jitsu & MMA)

 

155 Ross Dannar 0-1 (Nostos) vs Phil Chason 0-0 (Ko te Academy)

 

155 Ken Dunn 0-4 (Independent) vs Corey Hinkley 2-4 (CMBJJ)

 

145 Jacob Deppmeyer 0-0 (Tuatahi Class MMA) vs Frank Johanson 1-2 (CMBJJ)

 

140 Henry Clark 3-1 (Choi Institute) vs Alex Clark 3-2 (MMA o Young)

 

135 Michael Crespo 3-2 (Tuatahi Class MMA) vs Fred Lear 4-2 (MMA o Young)

 

135 Walt Shea 1-0 (Tuatahi Class MMA) vs Alan Bustamante 0-0 (South Tampa Jiu-Jitsu & MMA)

 

125 Jeremiah Barkac 0-0 (Independent) vs James Ploss 0-0 (Kaze Dojo)

 

125 Ryan Burgess 2-1 (Berserkers MMA) vs Justin Witham 2-4 (Aro Club Shatterproof)

 

125 Angela Young 1-2 (MMA o Young) vs Christine Brothwell 0-2 (Bucket Brigade)

 

115 Nicole Burgess 0-1 (Berserkers MMA) vs Sarah Ziehm 0-0 (CMBJJ)

 

115 Katie Baker 0-0 (MMA o Young) vs Alex Walker 2-1 (Kaze Dojo)

 

 

NEF’s next event, “Nef 27: RESURGENCE” e wahi i runga i Rāhoroi, February 11, 2017 i 7 p.m. Tīmata Tickets i $25 a kei runga i te hoko i teie nei i www.TheColisee.com ranei i karanga i te tari pouaka Colisee i 207.783.2009, extension 525.

 

For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com. I tua atu, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New Ingarangi whawhai."

 

HEAVYWEIGHTS PREPARE FOR WAR AT NEF 27

 

Lewiston, Maine (Hakihea 7, 2016) -mo Ingarangi whawhai (Nef) returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee on February 11, 2017 with its next mixed-martial-arts event, “Nef 27: RESURGENCE.” I mua i teie mahana, the fight promotion announced the addition of a professional contest to the card. RasRasquatchHylton (0-0) ka meinga e tona tuatahi ngaio ki Mike “Te ngutu” Hansen (5-4) i roto i te wehenga taumahamaha.

 

Hylton’s now-legendary rise through the ranks of the amateur heavyweight division in NEF is one of the major stories of 2016. At 6’6and towering over the top of the MMA cage, Hylton cuts an imposing figure. The only thing more impressive than Hylton’s size and appearance might be his athletic abilities. A prolific striker, Hylton finished all three of his opponents this year by either knockout or technical knockout.

 

Rasquatch,” or as some fans call himThe Jamaican Shamrock,” really began to raise eyebrows with a highlight-reel head kick knockout of Matt Glover (1-1) last spring. Na, whakamutunga te marama i “NEF 26,Hylton pounded an extremely tough Kevin Smith (3-3) to a bloody pulp. It was immediately after that dominant performance that Hylton’s coaches at First Class MMA and Dragon Fire Martial Arts felt the time was right for him to make the jump to the pro ranks.

 

I am so grateful to be fighting a man of Mike Hansen’s stature in front of my family and friends,” said Hylton. “As the first professional fighter to come out of both Dragon Fire Martial Arts and First Class MMA, and with the instruction of Shihan Andy Campbell, John “Class Tuatahi” Raio and my team, we are preparing for me to go to war because that is what Mike always brings to the cage.

 

A former Maine state heavyweight wrestling champion out of Mountain Valley High School, Mike Hansen has never shied away from taking a fight with someone bigger than him. I roto i te meka, Hansen, who also competes in the light-heavyweight and middleweight divisions, has gained a reputation as somewhat of agiant killer.

 

I mua i tēnei tau, Hansen submitted a substantially bigger Jesse Baughman (0-2) in the first round atNEF 22.He followed up that impressive performance by nearly knocking out a much larger Brendan Battles (1-1) with a right hand atNEF 23.This fall Hansen gave up nearly half a foot to Matt Andrikut (2-1) and submitted his bigger opponent in the first round. Ko e mo'oni, Hylton’s size advantage will play little role in the outcome of this fight should Hansen have anything to say about it.

 

“Ahau super oaoa mo tenei whawhai,” exclaimed Hansen. “I like being part of these ‘super fights.I know Ras has a great camp behind him and he will come 100% prepared. I’ll expect nothing less from Raio, but I feel my experience and composure in the cage will be my best asset and that’s not something that he can train up on i roto i te 10 weeks. February 11th we will go to war, so expect just that.

 

NEF’s next event, “Nef 27: RESURGENCE” e wahi i runga i Rāhoroi, February 11, 2017 i 7 p.m. Tīmata Tickets i $25 a kei runga i te hoko i teie nei i www.TheColisee.com ranei i karanga i te tari pouaka Colisee i 207.783.2009, extension 525.

 

For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com. I tua atu, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New Ingarangi whawhai."

 

VELADO CAPTURES GOLD, HALL RETAINS AT NEF 25

Lewiston, Maine (Mahuru 10, 2016) - New Ingarangi whawhai (Nef) held its most-recent event, “Nef 25: HEROES & VILLAINSSaturday night at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine. The event featured both mixed-martial-arts and professional boxing bouts.

 

On the boxing portion of the card, John Webster (9-7-1) patua Zenon Herrera (0-3) via unanimous decision on the eve of Webster’s 48th birthday. Webster’s last boxing victory came back in 2004, also in Lewiston, prior to his taking off a decade from active competition.

 

Also in the boxing ring, Casey Kramlich (5-0-1) remained undefeated as he stopped John Ortolani (0-1) in the fourth round via technical knockout. Waihoki, Brandon Montella (5-0) kept his pro record perfect with a second-round stoppage of Tollison Lewis (2-2).

 

Rachael Joyce (2-0) won a unanimous decision over Jessica Borga (2-2) in a highly-anticipated women’s amateur bout. Rafael Velado (4-0) captured the amateur lightweight title with a first-round submission of Jimmy Jackson (3-3). Karepe Hall (8-3) retained the amateur featherweight title, and in doing so handed bantamweight champion Johnny Crafts (4-1) te mate tuatahi o tona mahi, in a very close split decision on the judges’ scorecards.

 

Arona Lacey (3-0) kept his unbeaten streak alive with a first-round submission of Cory Trial (0-1) on the professional MMA portion of the card. Mike Hansen (5-4) ringa Matt Andrikut (2-1) the first loss of his career in the co-main event, ia Hehe Erickson (8-5) tuku Crowsneck Boutin (2-3) in the main event of the evening.

 

NEF also announced that it would co-promote its next event with Classic Entertainment & Sports (CES). The two largest fight promotions in New England will present a joint card titledSupremacy” i runga i Whiringa 4 in Lewiston at the Colisee.

 

Ko te hua i Lewiston, Maine:

NGAIO MMA

 

Hehe Erickson def. Crowsneck Boutin via rear-naked choke, tawhio 1

Mike Hansen def. Matt Andrikut via armbar, tawhio 1

Taylor Trahan def. Matt Denning via armbar, tawhio 1

Arona Lacey DEF. Cory Trial via rear-naked choke, tawhio 1

Walter Smith-Cotito def. Elias Leland via D’arce Choke, tawhio 2

 

AMATEUR MMA

 

Karepe Hall (c) DEF. Johnny Crafts via split decision (145 Taitara)

Rafael Velado def. Jimmy Jackson via Kimura, tawhio 1 (155 Taitara)

Frank Johanson def. Caleb Swoveland via armbar, tawhio 1

Rachael Joyce def. Jessica Borga via unanimous decision

Walt Shea def. The Slenderman via unanimous decision

 

NGAIO BOXING

Casey Kramlich def. John Ortolani via TKO, tawhio 4

Brandon Montella def. Tollison Lewis via TKO, tawhio 2

John Webster def. Zenon Herrera via unanimous decision

 

NEF and CES presentSUPREMACY,” a night of mixed-martial-arts cagefights, i runga i Whiringa 4, 2016 i roto i te Lewiston, Maine. Tīmata Tickets i $25 a e wātea ana i www.TheColisee.com ranei i karanga i te tari pouaka Colisee i 207.783.2009, extension 525.

NEW ENGLAND FIGHTS SELLS OUT IN BANGOR

Bangor, Maine (August 6, 2016) - New Ingarangi whawhai (Nef) held its most recent event, “NEF Presents Dana White: Lookinfor a Fight,Rāmere night at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor. The event sold out moments before doors opened to the public. Over 1200 fans in attendance witnessed a wild night of eight professional bouts. The crowd included UFC President Dana White who was in attendance to film a future episode of his web series.

 

Fight of the night went to Arona Lacey (2-0) a John Santos (3-4). The two featherweights battled back and forth for a grueling, and bloody, 15-meneti. Lacey was declared the winner by split decision on the judges’ scorecards.

 

In a rematch from 2014, NEF MMA Ngaio Kōmāmā Champion Devin Powell (8-1) took on Jon Lemke (5-6) in a non-title catchweight contest. In a repeat of the first bout, Powell scored the win over Lemke with a first round submission.

 

Ryan Sanders (11-8) a Derrick Kennington (11-8) were the third fight of the evening to go the distance with Sanders picking up the victory via unanimous decision.

 

In the bantamweight main event, Brazilian prospect Ricardo Lucas Ramos (9-1) submitted Glendale, California o Alfred Khashakyan (7-3) i roto i te rua o a tawhio noa.

 

The results from Bangor, Maine:

 

Ricardo Lucas Ramos def. Alfred Khashakyan via rear-naked choke, tawhio 2

Ryan Sanders def. Derrick Kennington via unanimous decision
Devin Powell def. Jon Lemke via rear-naked choke submission, tawhio 1

Arona Lacey DEF. John Santos via split decision

David Mundell def. Jarod Lawton via unanimous decision

CJ karaehe def. Ruben Redman via KO, tawhio 1

Derrick Brown def. Brendan Battles via TKO, tawhio 2

Josh Harvey DEF. Zenon Herrera mā TKO, tawhio 1

 

hui i muri mai New England whawhai ', "NEF 25: HEROES & VILLAINS,” takes place on Saturday, Mahuru 10, 2016 i te Androscoggin Bank Colisée i Lewiston, Maine. Ka tiimata nga tiikiti i te wa tika $25 a kei runga i te hoko i teie nei i www.TheColisee.com ranei na roto i te te karanga i te tari pouaka Colisée i 207.783.2009 x 525. Tickets will also be available at the door the night of the event.

 

For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com. I tua atu, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, te whai ia ratou i runga i Twitternefights, me te uru atu ki te rōpū Facebook whaimana "New Ingarangi whawhai."

LAWTON GETS NEW OPPONENT ON BANGOR FIGHT CARD

Bangor, Maine (Hōngongoi 30, 2016) - Jarod “Minute Last” Lawton (4-2) has a new opponent this Friday night in Bangor atNEF Presents Dana White: Lookinfor a Fight.” Lawton’s original opponent, Mike Hansen (4-4), pulled out of the middleweight contest with an injury just days before the start of fight week. NEF officials scoured the country for someone to step up on a mere week’s notice and face the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Lawton. Not an easy task, to say the least. NEF matchmaker Matt Peterson was able to secure a replacement opponent in the form of Rawiri “RedneckMundell (5-1) of Dunedin, Florida.

Mundell is a purple belt fighting out of Gracie Clearwater. His only loss as a professional came in his last fight this past spring. I roto i te meka, Mundell had not lost a single round in any of his previous five professional fights to that point. He is the reigning Florida State Professional MMA Welterweight Champion. Mundell held several titles in the amateur ranks before turning pro.

While most competitors would shy away from the prospect of facing a black belt on a week’s notice in front of UFC President Dana White, Mundell approaches the fight with a workmanlike outlook.

It’s just another day at the office,” said Mundell when reached for comment.

I am excited to still be a part of the show and thankful Dave Mundell was willing to step up on short notice to take the fight,” Said Lawton. “He is a well-rounded fighter, and I am expecting to put on one of the best fights of the night as always!”

hui i muri mai New England whawhai ', “NEF Presents Dana White: Kei te rapu Pakanga” e wahi i runga i te Paraire, August 5, 2016 at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine. He tīkiti i runga i te hoko inaianei i www.CrossInsuranceCenter.ki or by calling the box office at 800.745.3000.

For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com. I tua atu, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA awww.flocombat.com, te whai ia ratou i runga i Twitternefights, me te uru atu ki te rōpū Facebook whaimana "New Ingarangi whawhai."

Mō New Ingarangi whawhai

New Ingarangi whawhai ("Nef") Ko te whawhai whakatairanga ngā kaupapa kamupene. Misioni a nef ko ki te waihanga i te mau ohipa kounga teitei mō ngā whawhai, me pā o Maine rite tahi. Whānui wheako i roto i te whakahaere hākinakina whawhai he kapa whakahaere o nef, production ngā kaupapa, whanaungatanga pāpāho, marketing, ture me te pānuitanga.

HE WHAKAMAHI KAUPAPA KI NGA MAHI RANGI MAI

Bangor, Maine (Hōngongoi 29, 2016) - I koa a Devin Powell i te ahiahi mai i tana oranga taumaha hei kaiwhakaako me te kaiwhawhai toa.

I karapotia ia e nga kai kaore pea i runga i tana raarangi whakangungu noa. He inu whakanui hei whakauru i nga puoro nui me te haurangi i te Xfinity Centre, te waahi konohete o waho i Mansfield, Massachusetts.

Ahakoa ra, I rongo a Powell i tana waea e tangi ana, i kite ranei e wiri ana i roto i tana pute. Ko nga korero e haere mai ana i whakarereke i aana mahere-a-raa.

I whakaae a Powell ki te hoki ano ki a Jon Lemke i te "NEF Presents Dana White: Kei te rapu Pakanga,”Kia mau Rāmere, August 5 i te Cross Insurance Center i Bangor.

“I kite ahau i whara taku hoa aroha a Jesse Erickson,”Ka kii a Powell, "A ka tono mai ratou ki ahau kia whakakiihia. I kii ahau ‘he tika.’ Ko nga tangata katoa e tohu ana i te UFC, kaua e wareware ki a Dana White, mena ka whai waahi koe ki te whawhai ki mua i a raatau, he mea e hiahia ana koe ki te mahi mena ka taea e koe. Kia pai, whakanoho tata. ”

Powell (7-1) Ko te toa NEF taumahamaha, i te mea kua mau ia i te here ki te patuki hangarau o Erickson i te "NEF 22: Katoa nga rori e ahu ana ki konei ”i te Paenga-whawha. Lemke (5-5) i ngaro ki te toa o mua a Bruce Boyington i tana tono mo tera whitiki.

Ka tu te pakanga kia rima pauna i runga ake i te rohe maamaha i te taumaha hopu o 160.

"He mea angitu nui tenei,”Te kii a Lemke, e noho ana i te Brewer tata. "Kei te tino maioha ahau. Kei te tumanako ahau ki te whawhai i mua o te tangata pea whai mana i roto i te MMA. "

Ko ta ratou tukinga tetahi o nga wero ngaiotanga e waru i whakaatuhia ki te aroaro o White, he tangata whenua no Heremona e tata ana, me nga roopu Din Thomas me Matt Serra. Ko te tokotoru nei e haerere ana i te whenua mo te whai i te taranata MMA kaore ano kia kitea i roto i tetahi whakaaturanga pono e whakapaohotia ana ki te wharangi YouTube ma White me te ratonga ataata whakaata i runga i te hainatanga UFC Fight Pass.

Kaore hoki te tangata e mohio ki te mataku atu i te tirohanga whanui. I whakamutua e Lemke a Erickson ki Bellator 93 i Lewiston e rua tau ki muri. I pana a Powell i tana taumata toa ki te rima me te wikitoria i waenga i a ia Pipiri 17 mo Tommy Marcellino kei runga i te whakataetae Toa o te Ao i Foxwoods.

"Kei te mohio au kei konei pea raatau ki te matakitaki i nga taane i te kaupapa nui,”Ko te korero a Powell mo White me tana tira, "Engari kei te whakaaro ahau ki te tuu i tetahi whakaaturanga e kore e taea e raatau te moe. Ki taku momo whawhai, tino pukuriri me te koretake, E whakapono ana ahau ka aro atu raatau ki a raatau. Ko tenei hākinakina te mea nui mo te whai waahi tika me te whakamahi i a ia. ”

I te paatai ​​ki a ia mena i kite ia i tetahi take na te mea i whawhai a Powell i te toru wiki mo te panui, I kii a Lemke ma te whakaute i timata ia ki te whakarite mo Erickson e rua wiki i mua atu o tena.

I hinga a Lemke ki a Josh LaBerge i runga i Pipiri 10.

"He ruarua noa iho nga wiki i toe hei whakarite. I te whakangungu tonu ahau, engari koira kau. He ahua pai ahau engari kaore i te ahua whawhai,”Te kii a Lemke. "Koinei tetahi o nga mea e patai ana koe ki a koe me he pai koe, ‘Aue, kotahi, Kei te tino hiahia ahau ki te mahi i tenei, engari. ’He nui rawa atu te waahi kaore e pai. Ehara i te mea tino pai, engari hei kaiwhawhai, tino e rapu ana koe mo taua wero, a ko Devin tetahi o nga taangata pai rawa atu i te keemu i konei. ”

I ako ia i tena-ringa, a i roto i te ahua tangi, i te wa i pakanga nga toa e rua i te marama o Mei 10, 2014. I wikitoria a Powell na roto i te koka noa iho 23 hēkona.

Ko tera waahi te pakanga whakaekenga a Lemke i muri i tana wehenga tata mai i te whakataetae taitara ki a John Ortolani e waru marama ki mua.

"Kare i tino pai te haere i tera wa. He maha nga whakararuraru me nga ahuatanga rereke i ahu mai ai ahau ki tenei pakanga. Me wehe atu e au i te pakanga taitara i mua i tera, e kore koe e hiahia ki te mahi. Ko te toru hauwha o te pakanga ki ahau ka hoki ano ki te whare herehere,”Te kii a Lemke.

"He tino tangata whawhai ahau inaianei,"Ka tapiritia e ia. "Ki taku whakaaro kua ahu whakamua ahau ki nga waahi katoa, kaua ko aku pukenga anake engari me te huarahi e whai ana ahau. He maha aku pakanga, kua ako au mai i nga wikitoria e rua, me nga parekura. Ako tonu koe. I etahi wa ka ako koe i te huarahi uaua. ”

Ko Lemke me Powell ka uru ki roto i te whare herehere mo te tuawha o nga wa i raro iho i te tau. Ko taua ngohe te take kaore te tangata e tauhou ki te whakaae ki taua wero nui i muri o te whakangungu whakangungu.

I a Powell, fighting is simply a natural extension of his everyday life as owner and head instructor at Nostos MMA in Somersworth, N.H.

“I’m grateful for everything I have. I have a 4-year-old daughter and she likes to come to the academy and train jiu-jitsu,”Ka kii a Powell. “I have a pretty amazing life. I only have to teach, train and fight. A lot of people don’t get more than a couple hours with their kids every night. We sacrifice a lot for this sport. People only see the 15 minutes of hell. They don’t see everything else.”

Powell is pleased to represent NEF for only the third time in his blossoming career.

“NEF is one of the biggest promotions in the country. They make superstars out of guys from Maine,”Ka kii a Powell. “I fought for World Series of Fighting, and I don’t want to sound like I’m knocking them, but it was a much smaller show. NEF has a huge following, and now you see them going places like Cape Cod and Bangor, and that can only grow it even more. They do it right, and I’m glad to be able to step in there for them.”

Lemke faces the added pressure of fighting in front of not only White but his hometown fans from the Bangor area.

Many of them are not accustomed to the four-hour round trip for his encounters in Lewiston.

“A fight is still just a fight, and the next fight is the biggest fight regardless. You never know who could be there watching or what could happen as a result,”Te kii a Lemke, suggesting that he is more concerned with his opponent. “Devin is a phenomenal fighter. He has a great skill set. He’s highly touted and he has a great record to back it up. It’s definitely the challenge of a lifetime for me. He’s also a great guy outside the cage. I get along with him well. I think we respect each other.”

Powell confirmed those suspicions, although he reiterated that his objective is nothing less than another decisive victory.

“He’s a good guy. I don’t have to go to that deep, dark place. I understand that my job is to hurt someone so badly that the referee has to step in to save his life. It’s a beautiful, violent sport. I respect anyone who has the courage to get in there with the same goals as me,”Ka kii a Powell. “I’m expecting a brouhaha with Lemke. Te pukuriri ia. He comes to fight. I like to do the same things. The first fight was short-lived. If I’m able to repeat that, I’m sure Dana White will be happy.”

“NEF Presents Dana White: Looking for a Fight” takes place on Rāmere, August 5, 2016 i te Cross Insurance Center i Bangor, Maine. He tīkiti i runga i te hoko inaianei i www.CrossInsuranceCenter.ki or by calling the box office at 800.745.3000.

For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com. I tua atu, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA a www.flocombat.com, te whai ia ratou i runga i Twitternefights, me te uru atu ki te rōpū Facebook whaimana "New Ingarangi whawhai."

YOUNG’S MMA HAS HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE ON AUGUST 5 IN BANGOR

Bangor, Maine (Hōngongoi 28, 2016) – The dedicated delegation from Young’s MMA of Bangor usually relish their reputation as road warriors in New England Fights.

Lewiston is long established as the hub city for the organization, drawing competitors and spectators from both directions on the Maine Turnpike. Fighters and fans from the Penobscot River valley find that staying engaged for those fight cards four or five times a year requires greater commitment than most.

For only the second time in its history, the regional promotion will bring its cage to the Queen City. “NEF Presents: Dana White Lookin’ for a Fight” is slated for Friday, August 5 at Cross Insurance Center.

Young’s, the gym located just a few blocks away at 127 Hammond Street, will celebrate by showcasing one of its fighters in four of the eight scheduled professional bouts. Battle-tested Ryan Sanders and relative newcomers Aaron Lacey, Josh Harvey and CJ Ewer all are poised to take their best shot with the support of a raucous, partisan crowd.

“That’s the most exciting part for me, being from Brewer. I went to Brewer High School,” Lacey said. “It was definitely a huge, huge draw for me, seeing it in person. I went to the fights when NEF came to Darling’s Waterfront Pavilion (Hōngongoi 12, 2013) and all I could think is, ‘Man, I want to do this.’ This has been a goal of mine for a long time.”

Sanders (10-7) will battle Derrick Kennington (11-7) in a clash of wily lightweights that will be on the featured attractions on the docket.

His three stablemates each emerged victorious in their only previous pro bout. Lacey will lock up with John Santos (3-3) of Derry, N.H., i roto i te whawhai mā. Harvey has an appointment at featherweight. Tiaka, who won an amateur bout at the outdoor concert venue in Bangor, will be tested by Ruben Redman (0-1) in a welterweight scrap.

Even with numerous friends in attendance, the four men know it is the presence of UFC president White, who grew up in nearby Hermon, which could have career-changing ramifications.

“It’s a great opportunity. It’s awesome to know that someone like that is going to be in the building on fight night,” Sanders said. “But for me it’s just another fight. I don’t want to get caught up in all that. Just let it unfold.”

White and cohorts Din Thomas and Matt Serra travel the country in pursuit of undiscovered MMA talent in a reality show that is broadcast on White’s YouTube page as well as the UFC Fight Pass subscription-based streamed video service.

Ae, the entrepreneur’s Maine connections are well-documented. White also previously brought UFC Fight Night 47 to Bangor. Young’s talent pool suspects that the latest event is more than just a case of White throwing a bone to his home base, Heoi.

“I’m grateful that he’s bringing it here. I’m sure he’s watched film from NEF in his spare time. He must see something in NEF that he likes in order to be doing this,” Harvey said. “It doesn’t make me more nervous. Oaoa vau no te reira ahau. I’m going to try to put that all aside and focus on the task at hand.”

Under the tutelage of co-owners Chris Young and Ernie Fitch, roughly five or six professionals and a dozen amateurs cycle through the gym in any given training camp.

“Four of us fighting, it just shows we’re the best gym in the area. Three of us are undefeated. We’re producing studs. People see that and want to train with the best guys they can,” Sanders said. “We definitely push each other. You have guys who kick your ass every day. We want the best for each other. That’s why we’re here.”

Harvey expects the numbers and commitment to grow after White’s visit. He has been training at Young’s for three years. The cage side seat at the waterfront inspired him to step up his own training regimen. It’s a built-in advantage, Harvey noted, that has belonged almost exclusively to Lewiston until now.

“That’s what gets most people started. They go and see the fights and they want to try it,” Harvey said. “That’s why you see places like Central Maine BJJ (Lewiston) and First Class MMA (Topsham) growing so much. The fights are right there in their backyard.”

Lacey characterizes Young’s as “a gym full of killers.”

The statistics underscore Lacey’s point. The three pros with unblemished records all won their debut in two minutes or less.

“Ryan has only gone to a decision I think one time in his career. He’s a finisher. Josh won his fight by submission in the first round. CJ is super strong,” Lacey said. “They challenge me to be the best I can be every day. They keep me focused not just in the gym but in the game of life outside the cage.”

Although he is facing an opponent with significantly greater experience, Lacey expects a helpful adrenaline rush from having so many familiar faces at his back.

“It is different. I fought I think seven times in Lewiston between amateur fights and my pro debut,"Ka mea ia. “This gives me a chance to be in my comfort zone. And a lot of my fans can’t make it down there. By the time you figure in the travel, the price of the tickets, maybe staying overnight, they just can’t do it.”

Harvey agreed, pointing out that it’s the initial fight for which he hasn’t needed to pack a suitcase.

“This will be the first time I’ve slept in my own bed the night before a fight. I think it’s a huge advantage,” Harvey said. “Some people might think with more of your fans there that there’s more pressure, but I think it just builds you up.”

“NEF Presents Dana White: Looking for a Fight” takes place on Rāmere, August 5, 2016 i te Cross Insurance Center i Bangor, Maine. He tīkiti i runga i te hoko inaianei i www.CrossInsuranceCenter.ki or by calling the box office at 800.745.3000.

For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com. I tua atu, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA a www.flocombat.com, te whai ia ratou i runga i Twitternefights, me te uru atu ki te rōpū Facebook whaimana "New Ingarangi whawhai."

ERICKSON OUT, POWELL IN TO FACE LEMKE IN FRONT OF UFC PRESIDENT

Bangor, Maine (Hōngongoi 18, 2016) – When Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) President Dana White comes to Bangor onAugust 5, 2016 to check out the local talent New England Fights (Nef) has to offer, Hehe “Ko te Viking” Erickson (7-5) will unfortunately have to watch from the sidelines. Erickson suffered an injury while training for his bout with Jon Lemke (5-5) previously-scheduled to take place that evening. White will be present to record a future episode of his web series Dana White: Lookinfor a Fight in which professional mixed-martial-artists have a shot at earning a UFC contract based on their performance.

 

Within mere hours of being informed of Erickson’s injury, NEF executives had found a replacement in the form of the promotion’s reigning professional lightweight champion Devin Powell (7-1). The bout will be a non-title contest scheduled for three-rounds at a catchweight of 160-pounds. It is a rematch of a May 2014 NEF fight which Powell won via first-round submission. Should Lemke win the rematch, he will be in line for a title shot in the rubber match.

 

“Kotahi ano, I am incredibly thankful and grateful to NEF for making this fight happen,” Na ka mea a Lemke. “Getting an opponent change last minute is usually pretty stressful. Not this time, Heoi, as the crew at NEF was on top of it, and the next day I had a new opponent. I am very much looking forward to getting another crack at Devin, as I had a horrible showing in our first fight. Devin is a highly-touted and talented fighter and I expect an all out battle for sure. I have been looking forward to another crack at him for some time and you will see the best Jon Lemke yet.

 

Taking a short notice fight against Lemke was a no brainer,” stated Powell. “No way could I pass on a chance to fight a fellow Mainer a few hours away from my mom’s hometown of Allagash, Maine. Dana, I hope you get your popcorn, because you’re about to see a show. Hell or high water, I’m getting my hand raised.

 

hui i muri mai New England whawhai ', “NEF Presents Dana White: Kei te rapu Pakanga” e wahi i runga i te Paraire, August 5, 2016 at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine. He tīkiti i runga i te hoko inaianei i www.CrossInsuranceCenter.com or by calling the box office at 800.745.3000.

 

For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com. I tua atu, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA awww.flocombat.com, te whai ia ratou i runga i Twitternefights, me te uru atu ki te rōpū Facebook whaimana "New Ingarangi whawhai."

 

Mō New Ingarangi whawhai

 

New Ingarangi whawhai ("Nef") Ko te whawhai whakatairanga ngā kaupapa kamupene. Misioni a nef ko ki te waihanga i te mau ohipa kounga teitei mō ngā whawhai, me pā o Maine rite tahi. Whānui wheako i roto i te whakahaere hākinakina whawhai he kapa whakahaere o nef, production ngā kaupapa, whanaungatanga pāpāho, marketing, ture me te pānuitanga.

DANA WHITE: LOOKINFOR A FIGHT CARD ANNOUNCED FOR BANGOR EVENT

Bangor, Maine (Hōngongoi 12, 2016) – Earlier today, New Ingarangi whawhai (Nef) announced the fight card for the promotion’s August 5, 2016 event at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine. Championship whawhai hopea (UFC) President Dana White will be present at the event to scout talent for his web show Dana White: Lookinfor a Fight. Eight professional mixed-martial-arts (MMA) bouts will be presented before White. Sixteen competitors will look to impress the UFC boss and earn a contract with the largest MMA promotion in the world.

 

I roto i te hui matua, The FearlessAlfred Khashakyan (7-2) will face Brazilian prospect Ricardo Lucas Ramos (8-1) in a bantamweight contest. Based out of Glendale, California, Khashakyan is a finisher, having won seven of his last eight bouts via knockout or technical knockout. Khashakyan will be in good company on August 5 as his opponent does not believe in letting the judges decide the winner either. Seven of Ramoseight wins have been finishes, including five submissions.

 

Maine lightweights Jon Lemke (5-5) a Hehe “Ko te Viking” Erickson (7-5) will meet in a rematch of their Bellator 93 bout from 2013. Lemke won the first battle in Lewiston via first round technical knockout. Both Erickson and Lemke have recently challenged for the NEF MMA Professional Lightweight Title. They are two of the top-ranked fighters in the state at 155-pounds.

 

Local, Bangor-based Young’s MMA will send no less than four competitors to the cage in hopes of winning a UFC contract. “Te” Ryan Sanders (10-7), Arona “He whakangungu” Lacey (1-0), CJ tiaka (1-0), a Josh “Hook OnHarvey (1-0) will all be in action for the first time at the Cross.

 

In a bout that has all the makings of ashow-stealer,” Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) whitiki pango Jarod “Minute Last” Lawton (4-2) Kei te whakaritea ki te kanohi Mike “Te ngutu” Hansen (4-4) i roto i te a'ee taumahawaenga. Both will be looking to bounce back from losses in their respective previous bouts. Hansen is a former state high school wrestling champion out of Mountain Valley High School in Rumford, Maine.

 

Ko te kāri whawhai tonu (kaupapa ki te huri i):

 

265-Pauna: Brendan Battles (1-0) vs. Derrick Brown (4-3)

185-Pauna: Jarod Lawton (4-2) vs. Mike Hansen (4-4)

170-Pauna: CJ tiaka (1-0) vs. Ruben Redman (0-1)

155-Pauna: Ryan Sanders (10-7) vs. Derrick Kennington (11-7)

155-Pauna: Hehe Erickson (7-5) vs. Jon Lemke (5-5)

145-Pauna: Josh Harvey (1-0) vs. Brandon Bushaw (2-2)

145-Pauna: Arona Lacey (1-0) vs. John Santos (3-3)

135-Pauna: Alfred Khashakyan (7-2) vs. Ricardo Lucas Ramos (8-1)

 

hui i muri mai New England whawhai ', “NEF Presents Dana White: Kei te rapu Pakanga” e wahi i runga i te Paraire, August 5, 2016 at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine. He tīkiti i runga i te hoko inaianei i www.CrossInsuranceCenter.com or by calling the box office at 800.745.3000.

 

For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com. I tua atu, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA awww.flocombat.com, te whai ia ratou i runga i Twitternefights, me te uru atu ki te rōpū Facebook whaimana "New Ingarangi whawhai."

 

Mō New Ingarangi whawhai

 

New Ingarangi whawhai ("Nef") Ko te whawhai whakatairanga ngā kaupapa kamupene. Misioni a nef ko ki te waihanga i te mau ohipa kounga teitei mō ngā whawhai, me pā o Maine rite tahi. Whānui wheako i roto i te whakahaere hākinakina whawhai he kapa whakahaere o nef, production ngā kaupapa, whanaungatanga pāpāho, marketing, ture me te pānuitanga.

MIKE HANSEN: FACING FEAR HEADFIRST

Mike Hansen

Lewiston, Maine (Pipiri 15, 2016) – Fighting anyone, ki hea, anytime and under any circumstances has become Mike Hansen’s calling card with New England Fights.

No surprise, ka, that the 30-year-old father of three from Rumford, ME will gladly entertain the idea of a mixed martial arts contest … against an opponent about whom he admittedly knows precious little … on the eve of Father’s Day.

Hansen (4-4) will take on Robert Laroski in a heavyweight clash at “NEF 24: Promised Land” on Rāhoroi, Pipiri 18 at Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston.

There is no fear of the unknown in a man who has carved out his reputation confronting substantially bigger foes since his days as a state champion wrestler at Mountain Valley High School. During his relatively short time in NEF, Hansen has fought as a middleweight, light heavyweight and heavyweight.

“When I took the fight (at NEF 23 in Massachusetts) against Brendan Battles, people were saying, ‘You’re crazy! He’s going to bust your head!’ I understand why the weight classes exist, and I respect that it’s about safety and all that, but I’ve always felt that a fighter should be ready to fight anybody, no matter what,” Hansen said. “In high school, I would drink two gallons of water and put lead in my uniform just so I could get to the minimum weight for the unlimited class.”

That’s the attitude of a fighter whose skill and talent level far exceed his current record as a professional.

Hansen’s docket includes a stoppage win over former NEF “Fighter of the Year” Crowsneck Boutin. His record also includes TKO losses to Battles and Cody Anderson and a choke-out at the hands of Zach Elkins.

When he reflects upon his unique life story, Hansen, who fought twice for the World Fighting League as a 20-year-old college student, marvels that he ever got back into the cage at all.

“I started the winter of 2004-05. I started training because I had gone from 187 ki 242 pounds in a few months. I was seeing stretch marks,” Hansen recalled. “I was pretty upset with myself for allowing that to happen. I started doing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu two nights a week to get in shape. Then I went home for the summer and ended up with my first fight in August. My friends got me the fight without my coaches knowing about it. They told me it was a good thing I won, or they would have kicked my butt.”

Hansen kept a promise to his father to quit the sport after a knockout loss to Alexander Chianurashvili in 2006. He was studying at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy, with intentions to enter the medical field.

He was stabbed and attacked with a baseball bat by three men in a case of mistaken identity not long thereafter. “I walked out of the hospital the next day, and all three of them were still in there from the beating I gave them in self-defense,” Hansen said proudly.

That dogged determination served Hansen well in the United States Army, where he studied in the elite Combatives program.

“They ask you ‘Who wins the fight?’ and the answer is, ‘Whoever’s buddy gets there first to help him clean up.’ That’s what Combatives taught me: How to survive that extra 30 ki 60 hēkona,” Hansen said. “Work ethic is what it taught me. It helped me grow and do things I might have questioned mentally whether or not I could do. Not many people find that extra little motivation. The Army taught me how to find it and utilize it.”

A few years later, Hansen found that inner fire again. Even as he returned to coaching wrestlers in his hometown, his own physical fitness suffered as work and fatherhood took precedence.

Hansen vividly describes sitting in a bean bag chair, eating snack food, watching TV at 2:11 a.m. when his phone rang. He assumed it was a friend in trouble.

“It was (NEF co-owner) Matt Peterson. Our families grew up maybe 200 yards apart. My high school wrestling coach had called him, unbeknownst to me, to tell him he needed to get me back in the cage,” Hansen said.

Three weeks later a 20 pounds lighter, Hansen dispatched super heavyweight fixture Artie Mullen at “NEF 16: New Blood Rising,” and the comeback was on.

I roto i te 15 months that have followed, Hansen has been instrumental in launching Berserkers MMA and building his reputation as both a fighter and an instructor.

Life is blossoming at home, also. Hansen is the father of two girls, tau 5 a 2, and a boy of four months. His older daughter, Kaydn, often accompanies Dad to the gym at Greater Rumford Community Center. He returns the favor by chaperoning field trips for her kindergarten class.

“She and her friends will be on the playground practicing boxing stances and stuff,” Hansen said. “Her teacher says it’s adorable. Hopefully she is learning to take care of herself so I don’t have to.”

Kaydn’s parents are making plans to take her to her first live NEF show after she turns 6. Hoki inaianei, she is content to watch her Dad’s fights on YouTube.

“If we’re watching TV together,” Hansen said, “we have a thing where I get two shows and then she gets two shows. If I put in a fight tape, she’ll say, ‘Daddy, I know this doesn’t count as one of your shows, because this is your work.’”

Ko te pere whakatuwheratanga i runga i Pipiri 18 Kei te whakaturia hoki 7 p.m. Tickets for “NEF 24: Promised Land” start at $25 a e wātea ana i www.TheColisee.com ranei i karanga i te tari pouaka Colisee i 207.783.2009, extension 525.

For more information on the events and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com. I tua atu, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, te whai ia ratou i runga i Twitternefights, me te uru atu ki te rōpū Facebook whaimana "New Ingarangi whawhai."